What are the differences between a classical and a flamenco guitar?
The primary difference between a flamenco guitar and a classical one are: 1) Flamenco guitars traditionally were built using cypress for back and sides and spruce for the top. Classical guitars usually are made with rosewood back and sides, spruce or cedar tops. In recent years, a high-bred between a classical and flamenco guitar has emerged, the so-called “flamenca negra” which has its back and sides made of rosewood, but is otherwise built like a flamenco guitar. 2) Flamenco guitars are more lightly constructed than classical instruments– and weigh almost nothing. The top on the flamenco guitar is generally thinner, and there may be differences in the bracing patterns used. The thin top gives the flamenco guitar its characteristic snare drum like rasp when strummed. As well, because the top is thinner, flamenco guitars have less sustain than their classical counterparts. 3) Another common difference is that the body of a flamenco guitar is often shallower than a classical guitar. 4)
